Rockets’ history, culture enticed Howard

Dwight Howard prayed. He needed just one more push, one more reason. He needed a sign.

Howard had a decision to make. Time was running out. He wanted it to feel right. For all the information gleaned from all those meetings in Los Angeles, all the travails along the way to this moment, and all the arguments careening in his head, he just needed something, one last piece of evidence, to be at peace with his choice.

“It was on the Fourth of July,” Howard said. “That’s when I felt it was Houston. I was in Colorado. It seemed like every person that I met was from Houston. It was just so ironic. I’d walk around. Someone would ask for a picture. They’d give me a business card and it would say Houston on it. I was like, ‘Is everybody in Colorado from Houston right now?’ It was unbelievable.

“I was like, ‘You know what, this has to be from God.’ You pray for things to happen. You pray for signs, for God to show you things. It just seemed like, this was it.”

A day after his decision was final, Howard was as relieved as Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was elated, as content as he could have imagined. The tough part — the decision and the conversations that followed when he told representatives of the Mavericks, Hawks, Warriors and especially the Lakers — was over. The anxiety of his controversial, injury-marred final season in Orlando and subsequent frustrating one in Los Angeles was behind him.

He felt empowered to have made the choice that he considered best for him, rather than to please others. He finally had no second thoughts, no regrets.

While much has been made of the state of the Rockets a year ago, clearing out the roster for the moves they hoped would come, Howard was coming off back surgery, confined almost entirely to a bed or recliner, venturing out only for a one-block walk around his hotel home. But he, too, was making plans.

“When I had the back surgery, the one thing I kept envisioning was holding up that (championship) trophy,” Howard said. “Every day in the gym, before I even got an opportunity to run, I just envisioned myself holding that trophy. That’s what gave me the drive to want to get up and get back to basketball. Even though physically, I might not have been all the way there, I wanted to get back into it so bad.

“For the first four months I couldn’t do anything but lay on my back and walk. I watched as the Heat won and I sat in that room. I was just so upset. I just hated that taste, that bad taste of getting to the Finals and watching somebody else win. I wanted to win.”

Shot at titles was key

To Howard, no consideration meant more to him when he weighed his options this week than “championship potential.” He had been moved by the conversations with Hakeem Olajuwon and excited by the plan described by Kevin McHale. He said his private conversation with Rockets owner Leslie Alexander might have meant more than even all the talks with Chandler Parsons and James Harden. But the greatest issue, he said, was the chance to win championships.

When the Finals ended this season, Parsons watched the Heat celebrate and sent Howard a text that read, “Come to Houston. That could be us.” Howard, however, said that he could not stand watching another championship won by another team.

“What he said, he was on point,” Howard said. “But I tried not to watch the Finals because it (ticked) me off to the point I would get mad, start crying. I was so upset because I worked extremely hard. I’ve been to the Finals. I’ve tasted it. I’ve seen that trophy. I’ve been four games away from winning a championship. It hurt to watch other people win. I was like, ‘Man, I hate to see other people win this championship.’ I’m so passionate about it. When he said that, I know he wants to win, but if there’s anybody that wants the trophy it’s me.

“The biggest thing was a championship potential. I watched the team after we got out of the playoffs. I looked at their team. I looked at a couple teams. Their team just stood out. I think this is the best fit for me as far as playing basketball. I’m looking forward to it.”

Olajuwon offers praise

Howard had gotten the feeling that in Houston, he would be welcomed to the club of great big men, from Elvin Hayes to Moses Malone, Ralph Sampson, Hakeem Olajuwon and Yao Ming. Olajuwon’s influence was especially crucial. Howard has worked with Olajuwon in past offseasons and will again, and while he hopes to be able to mimic some of Olajuwon’s moves and success, he had the impression down.

“It meant a lot, just having Hakeem show up from Jordan,” Howard said. “He’s a great guy. We’ve had opportunities in the past to get together. He’s been one of my biggest supporters. I really thank Hakeem. I trust his judgment. I trust a lot of things he says. He’s been good from the first day he talked to my mom and said he wanted to work with me. I would work out with him and he would do a move and I would do a move and instead of the hook shot, I would dunk it and he would jump up and down and scream and say, “Oooh, you do my move better than me. Dwight, you have to do this in a game.’ We would just laugh. It was so great to be around him.

“I’m looking forward to having him and Kevin McHale push me. When I sat down with Kevin, he reminded me a lot of the drive of Clifford Ray (a former Magic assistant coach) when Clifford Ray was my big man coach. He pushed me to the limit every day and then I worked out. He always said, ‘I’m going to kick your (butt)’ and at the end of the day give you a hug.’ ”

Putting egos aside

Howard’s NBA career was blossoming then, long before his uncertainty about remaining in Orlando and the backlash from effort to join Kobe Bryant’s Lakers. In Houston, he said he can be himself again. He felt accepted from the friendships with Parsons and Harden, including Friday’s visit with Harden to plot their future together, and from the knowledge of the Rockets’ long pursuit of him.

“Even sitting down with James last night, we had an opportunity to talk about us winning the championship and how it’s important that we, as leaders of the team, are on the same page and of one accord. Everybody else will fall in line. It starts with me and him. We took the egos out of it and we’ll have a great season.

“I chose to go to Houston. I wasn’t traded. I was just like I had an opportunity to do something for myself and it wasn’t anybody’s else’s choice. It wasn’t a friend or fans or based off anybody but myself. In Orlando, I wanted to do everything for everybody else and I wasn’t happy inside with what I did. I just wanted to see everybody else happy. This time, I wanted to make myself happy and get back to being who I am, being Dwight, having fun and being happy.

“I’m just looking forward to this opportunity. It’s a clean slate for me. It’s a fresh start. It’s like I get a second chance at this. I’m looking forward to coming to Houston and making a big impact throughout the city. I love dealing with people. I love having fun. I’m looking forward to meshing with the city, getting out there. I know I’ve gotten a bad rep for a lot of things. I would say 95 percent of that stuff is false. I want to show people who Dwight Howard really is. I genuinely love being around people and giving people joy. I look forward to giving people a lot of joy, a lot of smiles and a lot of wins.”

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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With James Harden as a teammate, Dwight Howard has been all smiles during his brief time with the Rockets.

With James Harden as a teammate, Dwight Howard has been all smiles during his brief time with the Rockets.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Dwight Howard decided to join the Rockets during the 2013 free agency period.

Dwight Howard decided to join the Rockets during the 2013 free agency period.

Howard was named the Gatorade male high school athlete of the year for the 2003-04 school year.

Howard was named the Gatorade male high school athlete of the year for the 2003-04 school year.

Photo: Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press

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Howard, shown here wearing braces, made the jump from the preps to the pros in 2004.

Howard, shown here wearing braces, made the jump from the preps to the pros in 2004.

Photo: Peter Cosgrove) / Associated Press

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The Orlando Magic selected Howard with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 draft.

The Orlando Magic selected Howard with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 draft.

Photo: Ed Betz / Associated Press

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In his rookie season, Howard set an NBA record by becoming the youngest player to average a double-double over the course of his first season (12 points, 10 rebounds).

In his rookie season, Howard set an NBA record by becoming the youngest player to average a double-double over the course of his first season (12 points, 10 rebounds).

Photo: Doug Pensinger / Getty Images

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In Howard's second season as a pro he became the youngest player in NBA history to record 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game.

In Howard's second season as a pro he became the youngest player in NBA history to record 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game.

Photo: Doug Benc / Getty Images

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In his third season in the league, Howard qualified for his first All-Star appearance, led his team to their first playoff appearance since 2003 and also was named to the All-NBA Third team after his stellar season (17.6 points, 12.3 rebounds per game). less

In his third season in the league, Howard qualified for his first All-Star appearance, led his team to their first playoff appearance since 2003 and also was named to the All-NBA Third team after his stellar ... more

Photo: Jonathan Ferrey / Getty Images

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In Howard's fourth season as a pro he led the Magic to their first division title in 12 years and to the third seed in the 2008 playoffs. In the Magic's first-round matchup against the Raptors, Howard's dominance (three 20 point/20 rebound games) ensured that Orlando prevailed in five games. In the second round against the Pistons, the Magic lost the series 4–1. less

In Howard's fourth season as a pro he led the Magic to their first division title in 12 years and to the third seed in the 2008 playoffs. In the Magic's first-round matchup against the Raptors, Howard's ... more

Photo: Sam Greenwood / Getty Images

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Perhaps one of the more memorable moments in Dwight Howard's career came in 2008, when he dressed up as Superman and threw in a huge dunk in front of the All-Star crowd. Needless to say, he walked away with the Slam Dunk title that year. less

Perhaps one of the more memorable moments in Dwight Howard's career came in 2008, when he dressed up as Superman and threw in a huge dunk in front of the All-Star crowd. Needless to say, he walked away with ... more

Photo: Chris Graythen / Getty Images

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In arguably the most accomplished year of his career, Howard recorded his first triple double (30 points, 19 rebounds and 10 blocks), was named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year for the first time in his career, was named to the All-NBA First Team and also led the Magic to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Lakers in five games. less

In arguably the most accomplished year of his career, Howard recorded his first triple double (30 points, 19 rebounds and 10 blocks), was named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year for the first time in his ... more

Photo: Sporting News Archive / Sporting News via Getty Images

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During the 2009-2010 season, Howard helped lead the Magic to their third consecutive division title. He was also named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. The Magic lost to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. less

During the 2009-2010 season, Howard helped lead the Magic to their third consecutive division title. He was also named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. The Magic lost ... more

Photo: Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images

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Dwight Howard became the Magic's all-time leading scorer while leading Orlando to its fifth consecutive playoff appearance.

Dwight Howard became the Magic's all-time leading scorer while leading Orlando to its fifth consecutive playoff appearance.

Photo: Brett Deering / Getty Images

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In 2011, Dwight Howard was honored with his third consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award for hit incredible statistical season - averaging 20.6 points, 14.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks.

In 2011, Dwight Howard was honored with his third consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award for hit incredible statistical season - averaging 20.6 points, 14.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks.

Photo: John Raoux / Associated Press

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In the lockout-shortened season of 2011-2012, Howard managed to rack up 18 technical fouls to lead the league. He also set an NBA record with 39 free throw attempts (21 made) in a single game against the Warriors. less

In the lockout-shortened season of 2011-2012, Howard managed to rack up 18 technical fouls to lead the league. He also set an NBA record with 39 free throw attempts (21 made) in a single game against the ... more

Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images

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On August 10, 2012, Howard got his wish and was traded from the Magic to the Lakers in a three-way deal that also involved the 76ers and the Nuggets. The Lakers also received Chris Duhon and Earl Clark, the Magic received Josh McRoberts, Christian Eyenga, Maurice Harkless, Nikola Vucevic, Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, and draft picks, while Philadelphia received Jason Richardson and Andrew Bynum and Denver received Andre Iguodala. less

On August 10, 2012, Howard got his wish and was traded from the Magic to the Lakers in a three-way deal that also involved the 76ers and the Nuggets. The Lakers also received Chris Duhon and Earl Clark, the ... more

Photo: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

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In his first season with the Lakers, Dwight Howard found it hard to settle in to a basketball-crazy city with a larger-than-life superstar in Kobe Bryant. He oftentimes felt out of place and incapable of running coach Mike D'Antoni's offense. less

In his first season with the Lakers, Dwight Howard found it hard to settle in to a basketball-crazy city with a larger-than-life superstar in Kobe Bryant. He oftentimes felt out of place and incapable of ... more

Photo: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

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Despite his tumultuous career to this point, Howard is the fastest player to reach 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000 and 9,000 rebounds and the youngest player in NBA history to lead the league in rebounding and blocks. Following Howard's 2009–10 season, he became the first NBA player ever to lead the league in total rebounds for five consecutive seasons. On April 18, 2011, after he won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year Award, he became the first player in league history to have won the award in three consecutive seasons. less

Despite his tumultuous career to this point, Howard is the fastest player to reach 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000 and 9,000 rebounds and the youngest player in NBA history to lead the ... more